Disappointing to hear that the squad 'may get weaker' rather then stronger by the time the 2011/2012 season kicks off. But we all knew this was the case, that the wage bill has to be dramatically reduced and that any incoming players would likely be on Bosmans or loan deals. However, with a strong youth academy to draw talent from, a number of excellent players on low wages who will not require panic sales (Rhys, Bennett et al) and a manager who has an eye for talent, there is plenty of room for optimism next season.
A number of players have already left. Flood, Haas, Smith, Tavares and Davies the five to be sacrificed so far. And there is a reeeasonably unanimous agreement amongst Boro fans as to who else would ideally be offloaded. Boyd, Miller and Hoyte are the first names to spring to mind. But with further exits necessary, and potentially no interest in those less then thrilling three, the question is who else on high wages do you think we can afford to lose if we are to attempt a promotion push next season? Keep in mind that if we do make a move for replacements, there won't be any 'big names' coming into the club, nor in all likelihood any genuine exciting prospects. Just young talent and financially risk-free moves.
So, which players and why? Utb.
'Reactive, rather then proactive'.
posted on 21/5/11
Will we really be weakening the team by getting shot of our overpaid yet under performing players?Keep the putting the young uns in as was proved when Mogga did that this year.The team was strengthened.
posted on 21/5/11
I think getting rid of Kink is a good call, Mogga seems to favour movement and pace from his front two, so unless Drogba fancies a pay cut we may have to see what he can find on the cheap.
posted on 21/5/11
I would like to see Boyd, Digard, Robson and Hoyte go, they all have good qualities but are above our means right now and are players we could get by without.
If we could get a decent fee, anything approaching 2 mill' for Lita I'd be happy to take the money and let Mogga re-invest it.
Mogga sounded very pessimistic re. Arca, but I'd go along with chickenlunch; unless some turkish club offer him a swansong I doubt he'll get any eyewatering offers and will most likely stick around.
If we can keep accommodate the wages of of Bates, Big Mac, Thompson, Bailey, Emnes and resist keep the vultures away from the more promising youngsters I'd be very confident for the 2012-12 season.
Also I'd give Kink another year before thinking about cutting our losses on the lad, he's unlikley to be on big wages having come from a footballing backwater and has shown flashes of real quality, it's a little early to give up on the lad methinks!
posted on 22/5/11
Hate to be a pedant, but isn't the opposite of 'proactive', 'retroactive'....?
Retraction <-> Protraction
posted on 22/5/11
I think all the following will be earning 'Premiership' wages either historically or as Strachan expected promotion:-
Hoyte, Bates, McManus, McMahon, Digard, Thomson, Robson, McDonald, Boyd, Lita, Emnes
That's 11 players probably earning £15k-£40k a week!!
If an offer came in for anyone, they'd have to consider it.
Mowbray said he's going to keep Rhys Williams, so I guess he's not one of the higher earners. There are a few that I would like to keep in the above list, but realistically, nobody is indispensable.
posted on 24/5/11
I've just worked out that the above players quite easily will cost us £10m-£15m a year. Add to that Taylor and Arca's wages and it just makes the mind boggle. No wonder we're struggling financially.
However, there are other key players that need to go as well, as mentioned above. I can't see Miller or Kink ever making the grade, even though they won't be earning as much. They both need to go.
I think the players that Mowbray will have to lose will all be in the above list. He will only let up and coming stars go if either a silly offer comes in, or they're nearing the end of a contract.
Would we really miss that many from the above list?
posted on 24/5/11
I think we would massively miss a lot of those player Redcar.
posted on 24/5/11
Put it another way. Let's say you can just keep four from the list. Who would you pick to keep? Pick four players. I would want
Bates, Robson, Thomson and maybe McDonald.
Do you think we would miss the rest?
posted on 25/5/11
Bates, Emnes, Thomson & Macdonald
posted on 25/5/11
Isn't Mido still on our books? Him, Digard, Boyd, Hoyte, Robson (I think he'll be off the pace next season) all on big wages and I'd like to see them gone. Thommo might be a goner if an offer comes in - I say that only because if we're in such a bad way for wages, we can't afford to carry injury-prone players. I hope he stays though.
I don't think McMahon would have been given a prem deal - he would prob be on less than Taylor. Would like to see the local lads stay. I'd like to see Bailey stay, if he's not on big wages.
For me (and everyone else I think) Boyd is the one who has to go - well, him and Digard